10 Easy Budget-Friendly Meals for Dinner

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If you want meals that are both budget-friendly and delicious, it is totally possible! The 10 meals included in this recipe roundup are affordable, easy to make, and super flavorful. As an added bonus, I have included one of my favorite hacks for saving money on food – keep reading to find out what it is!

10 Delicious Budget-Friendly Meals: Meal photo collage with title text overlay.

Why You Will Love These Budget-Friendly Meals

You are going to love these super simple and flavorful budget-friendly recipes. They are perfect for busy weeknight dinners and meal prep, because they are so effortless and take very little time to prepare. Best of all, they are very inexpensive to make, which is always a good thing!

How to Save Money on Food and Groceries

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the average family of four spends between $700 to $1,000 per month on food. That is a lot money, especially considering the fact that most families waste about 40% of their food each month!

Food is one of the largest monthly expenses a family can have, which is why I’m a big fan of shopping at Thrive Market. Thrive Market is impressive online store that sells healthy, organic food and natural products at 25-50% below retail prices. I like to think of Thrive Market like Amazon (online retailer) meets Costco (wholesale prices) meets Whole Foods (all wholesome, junk-free foods).

I love Thrive Market because their prices are so much cheaper than almost every other retailer. In addition, they send free full-size products and amazing coupon codes to use on your order. For those reasons, I highly recommend signing up for a Thrive Market membership. You will save a ton of money and your pantry will be stocked with healthy, wholesome food staples. And if you’re a reader of my website, you will get an exclusive bonus when you join:

Click here to get a free gift when you get started with Thrive Market!

So now that you know one of my favorite hacks for saving money on food, here are some budget-friendly recipes you should try. They are all super affordable, easy to make, and amazingly flavorful.

Budget-Friendly Meals: Overhead view of Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake in a white serving dish with a wooden spoon on the side on a grey background.

1. Budget-Friendly Meals: Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake

This tasty Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake recipe requires only 6 simple ingredients to make! It is makes a perfect supper for busy weeknights and is so comforting, satiating and delicious.

Budget-Friendly Meals: Overhead view of two bowls of Healthy Turkey Chili with spoons on the side on a beige background.

2. Easy & Inexpensive Meals: Healthy Turkey Chili

This Healthy Turkey Chili recipe makes a hearty, spicy, one-pot meal that is perfect for cold days. It is naturally gluten-free, low-fat and packed with protein!

Budget-Friendly Meals: Overhead view of a plate of Chinese Fried Rice with chopsticks on a dark background.

3. Budget-Friendly Meals: Chinese Fried Rice

15 minutes are all you need to whip up this Chinese Fried Rice recipe! It tastes even better than takeout and is so much better for you. An easy-to-make, satisfying vegetarian main or side dish.

Budget-Friendly Meals: Close-up side view of Mexican Stuffed Peppers in a white plate on a white background.

4. Budget-Friendly Meals: Mexican Stuffed Peppers

This Mexican Stuffed Peppers recipe is super tasty, filling and so simple to make. A comforting all-in-one meal that is hearty, healthy and gluten-free!

Budget-Friendly Meals: Close-up side overhead view of two bowls of Tuna White Bean Salad on a neutral background.

5. Low-Cost Meals: Tuna White Bean Salad

This simple Tuna White Bean Salad recipe requires only 6 ingredients and 10 minutes to make! A healthy, protein-packed meal that will keep you feeling full for hours and is perfect for meal prep.

Budget-Friendly Meals: Overhead view of a bowl of Thai Spicy Noodle Soup with chopsticks and a spoon on a wooden background.

6. Budget-Friendly Meals: Thai Spicy Noodle Soup

This Thai Spicy Noodle Soup recipe is super hearty and infused with fragrant Thai flavors. A soul-warming noodle soup that is vegan, gluten-free, and requires only 15 minutes to make!

Budget-Friendly Meals: Overhead view of two bowls of Macaroni and Cheese with forks on the side on a wooden background.

7. Inexpensive Meals: Creamy Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

You are going to love this Homemade Macaroni and Cheese recipe. All you need are a few simple ingredients and just 20 minutes to make the best mac n’ cheese ever.

Budget-Friendly Meals: Overhead view of Honey Lime Chicken in a skillet on a wooden background.

8. Budget-Friendly Meals: Healthy Skillet Honey Lime Chicken

This saucy, tangy Honey Lime Chicken recipe is ideal for busy weeknights. It makes a flavor-packed, simple and inexpensive meal that the whole family is going to love!

Budget-Friendly Meals: Close-up overhead view of Mushroom Kale Quinoa in a skillet on a neutral background.

9. Low-Cost Meals: Mushroom Kale Quinoa

This nutritious Mushroom Kale Quinoa recipe is ideal for Meatless Mondays and is a cinch to make. Just throw all your ingredients into one pan and you have a no-stress, no-mess meal that is ready to eat about 30 minutes.

Budget-Friendly Meals: Overhead view of two Korean Beef Bowls on a wooden surface with chopsticks on the side.

10. Budget-Friendly Meals: Korean Ground Beef Bulgogi

This Korean Ground Beef Bulgogi recipe is so ridiculously easy to make and tastes beyond delicious. A perfect, family-friendly meal for busy weeknights that is ready to eat in just 15 minutes!

If you make any of these budget-friendly meals, be sure to let me know in the comments below! 🙂

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